Do you mind paying twice for your federal bldg?

Astute citizens make excellent points on Brantford, Ontario’s city council’s misguided decision to purchase Brantford’s Federal Building from the feds.

There is only one taxpayer. Therefore, you the taxpayers of Brantford and those gone before you have already paid for the Federal Building and its supposed upkeep. It is ludicrous for you to pay for this building again in a so-called real-estate “deal.”

The next too-truthy-for-the-online-version letter 1 points out that before the city adds $12M to its multi-million dollar debenture tally ($18M for Greenwich-Mohawk clean up; $5M for Sydenham-Pearl clean up and …) it should ask taxpayers what they think. Its illogical to say the consolidation of departments will save the city $800K. When the inevitable rise in rates occurs the interest will exceed this amount.

“City council has a credibility problem that only can be resolved in open and frank discussions and not by close-door meetings, which create an aura of secrecy, manipulation and favouritism.”